Sometimes the things that matter aren’t valuable at all—at least not in dollars.
In this episode of Things That Matter, Diane Amelia Read shares a simple piece of paper she brought with her when she moved from Massachusetts to Mexico: a poem written by her mother, Evelyn, when she was just 14 years old.
Diane discovered the poem while cleaning out her mother’s apartment after she moved into skilled nursing. Written in Auburn, Nebraska, in 1935, the poem imagines seagulls, oceans, pirates, and adventures—a remarkable glimpse into the imagination of a young girl living far from the sea.
For Diane, it revealed something she already knew about her mother in a completely different way. Evelyn was endlessly curious and adventurous in spirit, even though she didn’t have many opportunities to travel. Diane, however, has lived many of those adventures herself.
That led us to a thought I love: What if her mother’s job was to dream?
Maybe our dreams don’t always end with us. Maybe they inspire our children, our students, our friends, or people we may never even realize we’ve touched.
The poem also reminds us why telling these stories matters. To someone else, it might simply look like an old piece of paper. But once you know its story, it becomes part of a family’s history.
So look around your own personal museum. Is there something that reveals a side of someone you love that others may not know?
Tell that story.
Because sometimes the things our loved ones leave behind also carry the dreams they left for us.
Martie, thanks so much for creating a space where I could think for a time about my mom, her poem, our energy, and ripples. You have such a gift!
To find out more about this beautiful human doing important healing work in the world, visit:
Are you looking to build deeper connections, community & legacy with your employees, volunteers, donors, community, alumni, family, friends, residents, team or event participants? Hire me to host a unique story-sharing gathering, playshop, exhibition or retreat. Email me at martie at showandtales dot com
Have a story of a special item you’d love to share? Reach out to Martie McNabb at info at showandtales dot com and be part of a future episode with the Subject line: Podcast Guest✨
If you were asked, “What Things would tell your life story?” What Things would you choose? Look around your home, office & even on yourself …. what Things do you surround yourself with & what stories would they tell? Grab my My Life in 30 Things playsheet to list your Things that matter here: https://www.showandtales.com/30-things-story/
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